Just got back from the Maryland Region Scholastic Art and Writing Award Ceremony at Center Stage and am still floating on a sea of good feelings.
Ethan Christou, a ninth grade student at TCS, received the Inspire Emerging Talent Scholarship award for his work "The Senses Dividing." He was one of only seven scholarship recipients.
Graduating student Olivia Yates had the honor of having her work "My Mountain" read by actor Caitlin Weaver at the ceremony. She was also given an award for this important work about rejecting negative images that are often internalized by young women. This essay is being forwarded to the nationals in the American Visions and Voices category.
On hand were many members of the arts community in Baltimore along with educators, business and political leaders. Olivia and Ethan's families were beaming with pride as was creative writing teacher and mentor Mr. Don.
Our thanks to the national Alliance for Young Artists and Writers and the Baltimore Office for Promotion and the Arts for including students from The Community School in this showcase for young talent and important voices. A special thanks to Sarah Doccolo, long time friend of TCS who extended the personal invitation for us to participate.
One of our goals going back over 40 years ago was to make sure that the voices of young people would be heard. Congratulations Ethan and Olivia. You make us proud.
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